KUALA LUMPUR: What can everyone do to bring the roar of the Speedy Tigers back to life?
Enough has been said, and many have poked fun at Malaysia's disastrous showing at the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Inner Mongolia, China.
Being the second-highest ranked team in Asia, more was expected from the world No. 13 Speedy Tigers, and many felt they would easily achieve the Malaysian Hockey Confederation's (MHC) modest top-four target.
However, the ACT became a nightmare for Sarjit Singh's men as they finished last in a tournament, which only world No. 5 India are ranked higher than the Speedy Tigers.
The ACT results have sent shockwaves through the hockey community, with the heavy defeats exposing just how far the team have fallen.
A humiliating 8-1 thrashing by India and a shocking 4-2 defeat by world No. 23 China capped off a disastrous campaign in which Malaysia managed just one win from six matches.
In Monday's classification match, the Speedy Tigers lost 4-2 in a shootout to Japan after a 4-4 draw in regulation. Leading 4-3 with five minutes left, they allowed Japan to equalise — continuing a worrying trend of conceding late goals throughout the tournament.
The team's lack of composure under pressure was on full display.
For a nation with a rich hockey tradition, finishing behind South Korea, Japan, and China is nothing short of a crisis.
Sarjit, who took over as head coach in March, is now under immense pressure after a string of poor performances.
However, the players must also bear responsibility for falling short of international standards.
Olympian Nor Saiful Zaini didn't hold back in his criticism, highlighting the squad's poor basic skills.
In his view, only three players — Faizal Saari, Fitri Saari, and captain Marhan Jalil — are up to international standards.
The rest? Simply not good enough.
But maybe it's not just the national players or the coach — perhaps the problem goes deeper.
Malaysia have more than 5,000 active youth players under the National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP), but where is the quality?
The MHC may need to re-evaluate its development programmes and encourage participation across all races.
Without nurturing grassroots talent, Malaysia will struggle to compete on the world stage.
Sarjit's troubles didn't start in Inner Mongolia.
The writing was on the wall after a fourth-place finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in May, followed by a seventh-place showing in the Nations Cup in Poland.
But the real low point came in July, when Germany obliterated Malaysia 10-1 in a friendly, exposing the team's tactical frailties.
Defensively, Malaysia have been in disarray.
Conceding eight goals to India in the ACT was more than a bad day — it was a tactical disaster.
Even lower-ranked China managed to put four goals past the Speedy Tigers.
The team's inability to adapt mid-game is another glaring issue.
Malaysia's lack of tactical flexibility left them vulnerable, outplayed, and outclassed by even mid-tier teams.
The Speedy Tigers are in freefall, and MHC now faces a massive decision: stick with Sarjit or overhaul the coaching staff?
With the 2026 Asian Games — a crucial qualifier for the 2028 LA Olympics — on the horizon, time is running out.
Some believe Sarjit should stay, but with a tactical expert to shore up the team and help with match preparation.
Others call for a world-class foreign coach to take charge and rebuild Malaysia's hockey fortunes.
The Speedy Tigers' decline isn't just about poor results — it's about pride.
Malaysia used to be a hockey powerhouse, but recent humiliations, particularly the drubbings by India and Germany, have left fans disillusioned and the team's reputation in tatters.
Without immediate action, Malaysia risk slipping further down the rankings, losing their competitive edge in Asia, and jeopardising their Olympic hopes. The ACT result is a wake-up call.
With just two years left to prepare for the 2026 Asian Games, the MHC must act boldly.
Whether that means keeping Sarjit and bringing in tactical reinforcements or finding a new coach altogether, one thing is certain --- Change is essential. The future of Malaysian hockey is at stake, and only decisive action will bring the Speedy Tigers' roar back to life.
Coach Sarjit and the MHC will hold a press conference in Bukit Jalil tomorrow on their team's performance at the ACT.